The Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Catholic institution in Ohio, has rejected recent changes to Title IX that allow “gender identity” to be used as a basis for sex discrimination. Instead, the university will continue to use biological sex to separate students in housing, restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams.
President Father Dave Pivonka TOR sent a letter to students stating that the university’s Catholic teachings guide their beliefs on sex and gender. He emphasized the Compendium on human sexuality, which supports the idea that sexual identity is based on biology.
The university’s stance protects students and employees from facing discipline for not using “preferred pronouns” and for voicing beliefs that align with the university’s stance that biology, not identity, determines gender.
In contrast, the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX aim to include discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This could create controversy at public institutions, especially in states that have regulations limiting males from competing in women’s sports.
